Other than a coffee can, the Walmart/Kmart/Target grease pots weigh about 5 ounces and cost less than $10. They are perfectly adequate- very efficient with side-burner alcohol stoves. You will need a pot lifter.

Your cooking pot needs are determined by what, how, and for how many you cook. When I travel alone or are at least cooking for only myself, I can get by with a recycled 12 oz Vienna sausage can for a pot and plan some of my meals as the "boil water and dump" variety and eat the rest cold.

If I'm cooking for more people or anticipate melting snow/ice, I look for a larger pot. I imagine if I were to do a long-distance hike and intended to resupply by purchasing food in towns, I would want a larger pot, as well. You CAN get by using a 25 oz beer can (Fosters, LaBatts, and others) to cook a package of Lipton Noodles with some tuna and green beans. It is a close fit, though, and the shape makes for an inefficient ratio of pot bottom to stove/flame. Many hikers got to like the "X-Mart Grease Pots." I haven't seen one in a WalMart or KMart for a couple of years or more. The K-Mart pot had an outward-rolled lip, which made it more desirable. These were little more than thin seamless cans with a strainer and lid. If you can find one, it will be wonderfully light but thin enough to also be easily crushed. I loaned my WalMart GP to a co-worker's son. Gone! If you don't mind replacing your pot occasionally and don't do a lot more than boil water, you can get by with a recycled can. I've used them when I've camped/backpacked and tossed or given away before flying home.

Cheap sources of a more permanent pot: yard/garage sales, thrift shops, "dollar stores," and used gear lists. Some people buy a cheap, light pot intended for home use and cut off/unscrew the handle.

I haven't checked Target. They seem to b expanding, while many K-Marts are closing. The X-Marts seem to have stopped carrying the grease pots, so it is great that there is an upcoming new source of cheap and light pots.

Even without the handle. Or, with some pads for lips and hand grip made with high temp "RTV" silicone. There is the issue that these wicked light pots are not as efficient as a wider pot.

I agree that the heiney pot is really only good for boiling two cups of water and have forgot about using RTV. I've got some in the garage that I'll use today. For car camping you can carry anything even an iron skillit. But for super light and super cheap (possible throwaway) you can buy an aluminum mess kit for 5-6 bucks. But as you learn, you can upgrade to better stuff

Here is what I am talking about. Monster . I have only found the huge 32 oz drink at Walmart. It is as fat as the heine, but taller and straight sides. Sells for $3.50. Basically, it is an aluminum can.

Edited by finallyME (09/09/0810:44 AM)

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Cheapest way is a beercan pot, as many have mentioned. Wal-mart grease pot is goodtoo and more durable, although by the time I'm considering 5 bucks for that, I just spend10 for the Anti Gravity Gear pot since you don't have to mess with the lip like on the grease pot. (I carry theAGG pot most of the time. I've used a canpot, but I find I'm a little too tough on themand tend to crush 'em.

Seems the Kame Apart grease pots can be found in NJ stores for $3. Have'nt looked in a Wmart down here since it's an hour drive, for that one. Imusa in all the stores, in all the configurations down here too. Seems like you might have to bone up on your shopping on the way to the trailhead CamperMom <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

I stuck a bunch of Imusa pots into some of the Earthling Doodad Boxes I sent out last year. By the way CamperMom did you ever send the box I sent ( you were first on that list) along after recuperating? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Hi Eugene, I guess I miss read the title of this thread. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />Let me say that "camp pot" is a very important topic because without some "camp pot" its really boring to be sitting around the camp fire. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> I mean cooking without "camp pot" just wouldn't be the same. Perhaps the best thing about "camp pot" is it doesn't weigh much and even less hiking out. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> On the other hand, sometimes the "camp fire" itself is enough. Certainly a "camp fire" and "camp pot" together deliver some tastey evening refreshment. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> Certainly adequate to make yer buddy say "I want smore". Now you can cook smores with your "camp pot" over the "camp fire", or next to the "camp fire", but after eating those smores you may be up for a looong time and you will want to boil up some water for coffee in the cook pot.

Sometime when yer out camping you may discover some "Camp pot" and its a good idea to leave it be and move on. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> It would need to be cleaned and washed and dried before you could cook with it anyway.Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

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These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.

I knew there was a reason that you wore dark shades. But why would you wanna wash the camp pot before you dry it? I agree that if you have camp pot and you start wanting smores, your weight will decrease on your hike out and for me that is usually up hill. The trip starting out is most always down hill and with the weight of camp pot it's o.k. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

You must have found yours <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />. It not only will give you the muchies but will cause uncontrolable laughter. An then you'll realize that you forgot what was so funny.

I went to an Allman Brothers concert many moons ago, and I kept smelling this really sweet smell. Hours later when I was still finding everything ridiculously funny, my brother in law (law enforcement background) said I was probably surrounded by folks enjoying, um, uh, oh yeah, their "camp pots." I guess I was just really sensitive to the stuff.